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Player News - Wednesday, March 7th, 2018

A 2009 third-round pick by the Steelers out of Wisconsin, Urbik wound up making 63 career starts between the Bills and Dolphins, seeing action at both guard positions and center. Urbik spent 2017 out of football following a knee injury.

In other words, he won't be retiring despite making early-offseason threats. On Instagram Wednesday, Bell called it "a re-run of last year," when he skipped all of training camp but reported to the team before Week 1. Bell started slow with a 3.64 yards-per-carry average in the first five games, then improved to 4.20 YPC the rest of the way. He finished with a career-high 85 catches.

"I came back to Atlanta this early in the offseason from California to put in the work instead of just being on vacations," Hooper said. "It was just me and Matt (Ryan). He's starting to throw again, so I want to make sure I'm there as much as possible. Every time he wants to throw, I'm trying to make sure that I'm there." Hooper, 23, has been criticized by Falcons fans after a trying second year. He will be a buy-low, late-round fantasy pick in 2018.

Having traded DE Michael Bennett and expected to cut CB Richard Sherman, the Seahawks are blowing it up on defense. DE Cliff Avril and SS Kam Chancellor's futures are in doubt due to career-threatening neck injuries. Thomas is healthy and still playing at an extremely high level, so he would make the least sense to part with. Thomas turns 29 in May. He's made six Pro Bowls in the last seven years.

Report: Sherman to be cut within next 2 days

03-07-2018

Richard Sherman CB SF

NFL Network's Mike Silver reports the Seahawks will release CB Richard Sherman (Achilles) within the next two days.

Silver noted the Seahawks "would be open to re-signing him at a lower rate," but it's fair to wonder if Sherman simply wants out at this point. Sherman clashed with the coaching staff at times in 2016, then tore his Achilles' in November, then had a setback and underwent a second Achilles' surgery in February. Turning 30 later this month, Sherman will be a complicated free agent case.

Eagles expected to shop DE Vinny Curry

03-07-2018

Vinny Curry DE TB

The Eagles will explore trade options for DE Vinny Curry if he's unwilling to take a paycut.

Acquiring Michael Bennett has given the Eagles leverage over Curry. It's clear he either willingly take a paycut to stay with the team or be traded. It's also possible Philadelphia releases Curry outright if the two sides can't reach an agreement, freeing $5 million in cap space. Curry recorded only 2.5 sacks last season but reportedly played through an MCL injury.

Richburg missed the final 12 games of 2017 with a concussion that landed him on injured reserve. He played center for the Giants the last three seasons but started 15 games at guard in 2014. Now healthy, he's undoubtedly considered one of the top offensive linemen available on the market.

The source reportedly didn't say whether the move is likely or unlikely, merely that it's being considered. The Herald reported in February Suh would likely be designated as a post-June 1 release if cut, which would save the Fins $17 million under the salary cap. $8.5 million of Suh's $17 million salary becomes guaranteed on March 19. Suh turned 31 in January and hasn't missed a game since 2011. He would be an extremely hot commodity on the open market.

With Julius Thomas on the chopping block and Anthony Fasano's contract up, the Dolphins are left with MarQueis Gray and AJ Derby atop their tight end depth chart. Dickson has been a serviceable No. 2 tight end, but he's not a starting solution. The 30-year-old averaged 18.4 catches over the last five seasons.

Russini adds that the Broncos had trade talks with the 49ers regarding Talib, but "it doesn't look like it's going to get done." Talib is more likely to be cut, where he could get his Patriots reunion wish after Talib spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons in New England before signing a big-money deal in Denver. Talib is 32 years old, but he continued playing at a high level in 2017 and is a man-coverage corner. The Pats played more man than any team in football last year.

Seahawks exploring trades for CB Sherman

03-07-2018

Richard Sherman CB SF

After Wednesday's meeting with Seahawks officials, the team is expected to release or trade CB Richard Sherman.

Rapoport continues the Seahawks could opt to bring back Sherman at a different salary. Though the team is exploring trade options, the market is surely limited for a player recovering from achilles surgery. Seattle can also save $11 million in cap space by simply releasing him. Though Sherman denies Rapoport's report, all signs point to the seven-year pro playing elsewhere in 2018.

Bengals ink DT Chris Baker with one-year deal

03-07-2018

Chris Baker DT CIN

Bengals signed DT Chris Baker, formerly of the Bucs, to a one-year contract.

The deal is worth a "little more than $3 million." Baker, who is reportedly down to 300 pounds, passed his physical and finalized his deal the same day. He signed a three-year, $15.75 million deal with the Bucs prior to the 2017 season but recorded only a half-sack over 15 games and was released in February.

Releasing Mayowa frees up $2.75 million in cap space for the Cowboys. Mayowa, going on 27, is only two seasons removed from leading Dallas with six sacks. He played in 381 of a possible 920 snaps in 2017 and should garner interest in the open market given his historically prominent run defense.

The move saves the Patriots $6.2 million against the cap and comes before the team was set to pay Bennett a $2 million roster bonus. Bennett turns 31 this month and had an injury-filled 2017 between the Packers and Patriots. He brought up retirement last year but now plans to play in 2018.

Rams ship ILB Ogletree to G-Men for two picks

03-07-2018

Alec Ogletree LB NYG

Giants acquired ILB Alec Ogletree and a 2019 seventh-round pick from the Rams in exchange for 2018 fourth- and sixth-round picks.

The Rams just signed Ogletree to a four-year, $42 million extension in October but evidently didn't like his fit in DC Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. L.A. was gashed by the run last season, and playing Ogletree and Mark Barron, a pair of converted safeties, at inside linebacker was a big reason for that. Both are extremely athletic, but they were too light and got pushed around by offensive linemen. The Rams recoup the fourth-rounder they sent to K.C. in the Marcus Peters deal with this move and clear a bunch of cash off the books for future long-term deals. Linebacker was a massive need for the Giants.

It's Cushing's first known visit since he was released by the Texans in mid-February. Cushing, 31, played his college ball for coach Pete Carroll at USC and was a 2009 first-rounder. He finished 2012 and 2013 on I.R. and was suspended 10 games last season for PEDs. He's more name than game at this point in his career. SLB Michael Wilhoite is a free agent in Seattle.

Seahawks acquired WR Marcus Johnson and a 2018 fifth-round pick from the Eagles in exchange for DL Michael Bennett and a 2018 seventh-round pick.

The draw for Seattle was the fifth-rounder. Johnson, 24 in August, caught five passes for 45 yards across 10 games for the Super Bowl champs last season and is a special teams cog. He blazed a 4.35 forty at his 2016 Pro Day.

Eagles get DL Michael Bennett for 5th-rounder

03-07-2018

Michael Bennett DE PHI

Eagles acquired DL Michael Bennett and a 2018 seventh-round pick from the Seahawks in exchange for WR Marcus Johnson and a 2018 fifth-round pick.

The rich get richer. Eagles EVP Howie Roseman may be the most aggressive decision-maker in the biz, and he adds Bennett to an already-loaded defensive line. The Seahawks were dangling Bennett to, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "quiet things down a little bit" and clear cap space. Bennett has long been outspoken on social issues, something the Eagles aren't afraid of in the least bit, considering they employ Malcolm Jenkins, Chris Long, and Torrey Smith. And still won the Super Bowl. How about that? Bennett is 32 but remains an absolute asset. He and Fletcher Cox will likely man the interior on passing downs, with Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett coming off the edges. Fellow DLs Timmy Jernigan and Chris Long are also in the mix. Good luck to opposing offensive linemen. This likely spells the end for DE Vinny Curry in Philly.

Cardinals re-sign LS Brewer to four-year deal

03-07-2018

Aaron Brewer LS ARZ

Cardinals re-signed LS Aaron Brewer to a four-year contract.

Brewer has been snapping the snaps that are longer than normal snaps in Arizona for the past two seasons. He previously handled those duties in Denver.

Sherman 'told teammates' he's leaving Seattle

03-07-2018

Richard Sherman CB SF

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Richard Sherman "has told teammates goodbye over the last 24 hours" and says he won't be on the Seahawks in 2018.

Rapoport's colleague, Tom Pelissero, reports Sherman will meet with GM John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll on Wednesday to "discuss his future." This all started with a cryptic tweet from teammate CB Jeremy Lane, suggesting Sherman was leaving the team. The Seahawks can save $11 million in cap space by cutting Sherman, who is entering the final year of his deal. The hangup, however, is that Sherman is not even close to being healthy after tearing his right Achilles' last season and then needing a cleanup on his left one this offseason. This situation bears watching in the coming hours and days leading up the new league year. Sherman denies RapSheet's report.

Keenum would obviously be a secondary option to Kirk Cousins when free agency opens, but with Cousins possibly leaning toward signing with the Vikings, teams need to be making contingency plans. Klis doesn't know if Keenum is the Broncos' "Plan B" after Cousins, but he does believe Denver is interested in Keenum. There's a connection in Denver, with Gary Kubiak as senior personnel advisor to GM John Elway. Kubiak gave Keenum his NFL start with the Texans and spoke highly of Keenum in January. Keenum could land $16-20 million per year.

"Kevin is working really hard to get back," said Trubisky. "I know he's busting his tail to really do big things this year." White has appeared in just five games since being the No. 7 overall pick in 2015. He's currently rehabbing a shoulder injury he suffered last season, but White has been able to work on his routes and quickness. White won't be guaranteed anything in 2018, and the Bears are certain to add several receivers in the next two months. It's a make or break year for White.

FA DT Chris Baker visited Bengals on Tuesday

03-07-2018

Chris Baker DT CIN

CSN Mid-Atlantic's Chick Hernandez reports free agent DT Chris Baker visited the Bengals on Tuesday and is "likely to end up there."

Baker was released by the Bucs two weeks ago after bombing out as a free-agent signing last offseason. The 30-year-old recorded just a half-sack across 15 games for Tampa Bay but was previously a very disruptive player in Washington. However, Baker has long faced questions about his effort.

Arrest warrant issued for FA DL Letroy Guion

03-07-2018

Letroy Guion NT GB

An arrest warrant has been issued for free agent DL Letroy Guion after he failed to appear in court Monday.

The ex-Packers lineman was arrested for DUI in Hawaii last summer and was expected back in court Monday. He didn't show up. Guion was released by the Packers before last season and never latched on with another club.

According to Giardi's sources, Lewis "remains disappointed" by his usage early last season and again in the Super Bowl against the Eagles. It's hard to blame him after he legitimately carried the offense the final month of the season. Either way, the Patriots likely don't have the cap space and desire to create it in order to re-sign Lewis. At 27, he's looking for a big pay day.

Johnson began last season with the Lions, appearing in four games before getting cut and latching on with New Orleans for the final five, including the playoffs. He played a big rotational role, notching 2.5 sacks for the Saints.

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